The measles outbreak in India causes the death of 12 children in West India, the city of Mumbai and its surrounding areas.
Around 26-27 Oct 2022, the first case of death was reported which was then followed by three children that also died within 2 days. The city has now recorded a total of 233 cases last Wednesday, a three-fold increase from the data reported last year with 92 cases and 2 deaths.
Authorities point the reason for the spike in infections to the slow vaccination drive despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an article on Measles by Medical Channel Asia, “Measles is an extremely infectious and highly contagious viral disease that affects all ages.” The measles virus is derived from the Paramyxovirus family. It is also known as Rubeola, one of the most infectious diseases known. The virus transmits via droplets that remain contagious on surfaces and in the air for up to 2 hours.
The virus first infects the respiratory system before it continues to spread throughout the entire body. Viral replications occur in the trachea and bronchial tubes within the first 2 days. The virus then travels through the lymphatic system after 4 days to infect other parts of the body. People who have never acquired the disease before and those who are not vaccinated are more prone to developing measles after having an interaction or coming to contact with someone who has the disease.
According to authorities in India, about 20,000 children in India were not able to acquire their measles vaccine due to the pandemic. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s Executive Health Officer, Dr Mangala Gomare stated in the Indian Express Newspaper that they are now tracking all of the children who were not vaccinated and holding vaccination camps as a top priority.
Dr Ajit Gajendragadkar, Consultant, Paediatrics of P D Hinduja Hospital added to the Indian Express Newspaper “To contain and control the outbreak, it is crucial that cases are quickly identified and isolated, and contacts and other susceptible children are immunised,”
